Nigeria’s Super Eagles are talking tough just hours to an AFCON decider against hosts Egypt in Alexandria.
The Eagles failed to beat group leaders Egypt in Kaduna on Friday and so still trail the Pharaohs by two points with only the overall winners qualifying for Gabon 2017 after Chad pulled out of the qualifiers.
The stats also show Nigeria have not beaten the seven-time African champions in an competitive game in 26 years.
Coach Samson Siasia admitted Chad’s withdrawal has made qualification even more difficult, but he is also confident his team could get the win they did not get at home.
He said: “Chad’s withdrawal has made qualification a lot more difficult for us. We have to win, we are going all out to score goals this time around.”
Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has served out his three-match ban and so he is available for selection tonight.
He said they cannot afford to split the three points with Egypt in Alexandria.
“We win against Egypt tonight and we will go top of the group,” said Onazi, who admitted he was tensed watching the first encounter in Kaduna as he served out his suspension.
“We are determined to get the result we need, we are not afraid,” assured Watford striker Odion Ighalo
Nigeria’s goal scorer in Kaduna, Oghenekaro Etebo said he is not under pressure to reproduce his form in Egypt.
“There is no pressure,” he maintained
“We didn’t win (in Kaduna), but it is not finished because we can do so now in Alexandria.”
The midfielder further said he will join his new European club after the match